Metamatic Forums John Foxx John Foxx Why wasn't "Europe After The Rain" a massive hit?

No worries Furniture I know what you mean, and I’m sure I did my own fair bit of posing It’s just the way that some ‘critics’ back then would tar everything with the same brush that they considered as appearing to be either slick or transient, and more annoyingly, not necessarily being ‘serious music’ with something to say. Does music have to ‘say’ anything, as long as its emotive enough to create a resonance in your mind.

There is also the possibility of course that not enough people actually liked it...

But that's just silly :p

Only just read this thread - :rolleyes:

I didn't realise it didn't do so well . .really? only one week in the charts at no. 40?? criminal.. but I'm sort of thinking along the same lines that it threw a lot of people (like me) who'd considered him an *electronic* artist.

However compare it with OMD's Souvenir which came out at the same time, and if memory serves me right was on TOTP the same night, and was I think their biggest hit with something completely different from the previous single electronic sounding "Enola Gay".

Funny old year 1981 ....

I never really noticed the difference from the more synth based Foxx singles and 'Europe After The Rain', not sure why, as it was quite a change back to a 'band feel' again. Still remember being pleased to see John back on TOTP's with it though. Then a little sad to find it not really getting anywhere in the charts. I looked the next week and it was gone......

Yes i cant image that to be the case.

It must have charted on the week people didn't want the word 'rain' in a song title.

I cannot even imagine what the big 'hit' was over here at that time. :rolleyes:

These were the number 1's of the British Pop charts of 1981.

"Imagine" John Lennon
"Shaddap You Face" Joe Dolce Music
"Jealous Guy" Roxy Music
"This Ole House" Shakin' Stevens
"Making Your Mind Up" Bucks Fizz
"Stand and Deliver" Adam and the Ants
"Being With You" Smokey Robinson
"One Day In Your Life" Michael Jackson
"Ghost Town" The Specials
"Green Door" Shakin' Stevens
"Japanese Boy" Aneka
"Tainted Love" Soft Cell
"Prince Charming" Adam and the Ants
"It's My Party" Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" The Police
"Under Pressure" Queen and David Bowie

"Begin the Beguine" Julio Iglesias
"Don't You Want Me" The Human League

Ive edited to the best songs imo, but even the Shaky ones etc are better than todays charts. What the hel' happened to music. Sure theres some great stuff around still, but in the charts.....no way hosay.

I understand what you mean, K. Pretty sad state of things music-wise.

Even more sad, if 'Europe After The Rain' was re-released now, as vinyl or download, what would be the chance of it even getting to number 40 this time.